New Delhi: Barely a week ahead of his retirement, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on December 26 has kicked off a controversy when he took a public stand on protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, saying that instigating large crowds to turn violent and carry out arson doesn’t amount to leadership.
“Leaders are not those who lead people in inappropriate directions, as we are witnessing in a large number of universities and college students…the way they are leading masses of crowds to carry out arson and violence in our cities and towns,” General Rawat said at an event.
The opposition parties, including the Congress, attacked Gen Rawat, who is also strongly tipped to be the first Chief of Defence Staff of the rank of a four-star General.
However, the Government has not yet named the person who would be the first CDS.
“A leader is one person who leads you in the correct direction. Gives you the right advice and then ensures that you care for the people you live,” he said.
In his three-year tenure as Army Chief, he faced allegations of not remaining politically neutral.
“What is so complex about leadership, if it is all about leading. Because when you move forward, everybody follows. It is not that simple. It appears simple, but it is a complex phenomenon,” General Rawat said in his speech.
“Even amongst the crowd you find that the leaders emerge. But leaders are those who lead people in the right direction. Leaders are not those who lead people in inappropriate directions,” he added.
“I agree with him. Yes, leaders should lead (people) in the appropriate direction. I am absolutely sure, he has the prime minister of this country in mind when talking about that,” said rights activist Yogendra Yadav.
He said Gen Rawat’s comments on politics is a sharp departure from the convention of the Indian Army in the last 70 years. “This used to happen in Pakistan and Bangladesh.”
Congress Spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa too slammed Gen Rawat for his remarks.
“Army Chief Bipin Rawat speaking against #CAA Protests is wholly against constitutional democracy. If Army Chief is allowed to speak on political issues today, it also permits him to attempt an Army takeover tomorrow!!,” he tweeted.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said leadership is about knowing the limits of one’s office. “It is about understanding the idea of civilian supremacy and preserving the integrity of the institution that you head,” he said.
Congress leader Digvijay Singh also tweeted,”leaders Not Those Who Lead Masses In Arson”: Army Chief On Citizenship Protests. I agree General Saheb but also Leaders are not those who allow their followers to indulge in genocide of communal violence.
